Thinking about canceling

[karina]

We booked our 3-day cruise only two weeks ago for 1/15/03. My dh has so many concerns now with the alert level being raised. I know they say not to stop with our daily lives but it does make one think twice. We will be traveling with our 2 year old dd. I don't know what we're going to do yet but I've been so excited about this since we booked. I think I'm posting this thread just for support.

 

[GenieDana]

You are probably safer on that ship than in your own home. I don't think there is nearly as much security at your doorstep as there is to enter the terminal / board the ship.

 

[kcashner]

Only you can decide on your comfort level. However, we cruised 2 weeks after 9/11. It really made no difference on our cruise. Yes, there was some additional "dog sniffing" as we boarded, and an additional US customs check before we could disembark at USVI (which you won't be visiting.)

My logic is that I could be killed in a car accident on the way to the grocery store...but I choose to make that trip anyhow. Disney is certainly well aware of safety issues, and does everything they can to give you a safe and enjoyable cruise. I'd go for it....but again, only you can decide for yourself.

 

[Lloyd Dobler]

We sailed twice in the fall of 2001 with all the security bells and whistles, including National Guardsmen at both the airports and at the port, and a Coast Guard escort out of the harbor. We had no problems either time.

I would encourage you to go and to enjoy yourself. I wouldn't give the alert status a second thought. My personal opinion is that it gets raised every once in a while so that it seems that the government is actually doing something, but then, I'm a cynic.

It very well could be lowered by the middle of January, and if you cancel now, you're probably going to lose half of the cost of the trip. There's very, very little chance that anything will happen to you and it woud be a shame to just throw good money away.

 

[MHDTS]

We travelled on the Magic shortly after 9/11 in 2001, and again on the Wonder shortly after the "sickness" scare last year.
The best advice is -- go and have a good time!

 

[Lisa]

We, too, cruised shortly after 9/11. While we had a Coast Guard boat and helicopter escort out of the harbor, at no time did we feel our safety was compromised.

 

[MO Disney cruiser]

We sailed the day after 9/11. I felt nothing but secure. Even a day after security measures had already been increased.

As others have said, you're probably more at risk driving to the grocery store.

Terrorism is not only destruction of property, it is us changing our lives.

Go cruise and enjoy!

 

[Certifiable WDW Nut]

Terrorism is not only destruction of property, it is us changing our lives.

That is so true. I'm wondering if the terrorists sometime don't just send out a lot of false chatter so the government will raise the terror level and scare everyone. It is probably a more effective method of terrorism than blowing things up. Remember, after 9/11, we only became stronger. We didn't cower down in fear and meet all the terrorists demands. If we react to these "threats" by changing our lives, then we are letting the terrorists win.

My 2 cents.

 

[DisneyKids]

Since terrorism could strike anywhere at any time, I would choose to be with my family doing what I love at as much as possible. I'll take my chance on a Disney cruise above a similar chance of going to a shopping mall. Anything is a potential target.

But...we all have to decide what is right for ourselves!

 

[disneyholic family]

do NOT cancel....
the ship is very very very very safe...
we were scheduled on the july 4th cruise in 2002....there were very specific alerts at the time that the shipping lanes were targeted....
my husband spoke to the head of security at disney (since we come from a country that's particularly at risk and we were very worried)...
after speaking with him, we had no concern at all....
disney takes security VERY seriously...

 

[floridaminnie]

We are leaving this Sat. and I know we'll be in good hands.

 

[Jestocost]

Here's my philosophy on that question:

Statistically, you're much more likely to be killed by your dog (I know not YOUR dog specifically) than by terrorists (even accounting for the thousands killed on 9/11). More people are killed or injured on stairs than on any other consumer product. Bathtubs are, statistically, pretty dangerous too.

So, if you want to remove risks from your life, you should start with the more dangerous things and work your way down to terrorism. My first steps:

1) Get a one-story house
2) Avoid bathing
3) Send the family dog to the ASPCA

If that doesn't make sense, good! Neither does dramatically altering your life or plans based on the risk of terrorism.

 

[floridaminnie]

Plus that's what the terrosists want you to do.

 

[hydster]

We were in Disneyland ON 9-11 and had to stay an additional 4 days (HAHA) anyway it was eerie coming home finally as the newspapers in the airport still were from the morning of 9-11 and there were bomb sniffing dogs around and yet the airport was pretty much deserted. It was really scary but statistically we were more likely to get killed crossing the street or driving back to the airport. I had panic attacks after that just because it was really nerve wracking to be away from home and not knowing when you would be able to return or IF you would return anytime soon. We were looking at rental cars and such and it was really sad and scary to be away from home. That being said I would do it again if it was to be with my family on a vacation or sitting home building a bomb shelter. (A little extreme but you know what I mean). I thought it was so interesting that people who live in New York seem to be the least phased by the terror alert and yet look what they went through. One New Yorker was quoted in our newspaper as saying:

Waiting for a subway in Lower Manhattan on Monday morning, David Davidson of Brooklyn said he was not concerned about the elevated alert. "Not more than anything else. I understand that living is a risk in itself, and you take it," he said

I dont know where you are from (I didnt notice before I hit reply) but just living is a risk. If you put 9-11 in perspective of how many people were just on airplanes or in airports across the country it is a very miniscule amount (Not that those people who died were miniscule) but when you put the amount of people who perished (some were at WORK by the way which means that even if you stay home you arent safe 100 percent) against those who were in the area, airplanes, airports, subways, work, home, the country it is a very small amount.

I say you should go...by the time you leave who knows the terror alert will probably be low again. They did this the same time last year as well with New Years and things but then lowered it. I am assuming you meant 1-15-04 but that is still 3 weeks away. Who knows what may happen with the terror alert by then. If you stop going THEY WIN!

Just my opinion

Heidi

 

[poopie]

then you get just help the terrorists accomplish their goals.

I went to Africa in March of this year despite the security warnings, I am not going to let a bunch of terrorists dictate how I live my life.

I cruised 3 months after 9/11 and found the security to be above normal conditions.


I am cruising 1/3/04 it NEVER occured to me to cancel until I read this post.

As others have mentioned you are more likely to die in a car accident then from a terrorist act.

Go on your trip and enjoy!!!

 

[MarkRG]

GO. We sailed not that long after 9-11. I would agree with the others the ship is a very safe place, you will have no worries.

 

[musicgirl]

I agree, do not cancel. It seems to me that the gov. is taking more notice of any kind of information they get. I'm sure they will not "overlook" anything that could possibly be a sign of an attack. Could they even go overboard with the warnings?

With the higher level, I would imagine that security has been kicked way up. Could it possibly be "safer" now because of the level. Obviously, with securitiy on alert, they will be more cautious. You would hope that the terrorist would back off if they knew someone was on to them.

We just have to remember this when there are long lines at the airports etc. and be patient because it is for our own good. I know I was frustrated in the summer of 2002, but it is better that they are safe.

 

[gonna go cruising]

My vote is to go. I think once you are on the ship it will not enter your mind that there is a real world out there.

If I had one already paid for and time for it, I would definitely go, and if airports werent flying I would drive.

Hopefully you will choose to go on as normal and not let the threat be a determining factor. I do understand your dilemma, please do not misunderstand, but I think it is not necessary to skip the cruise.

 

[WIcruizer]

Try to take the emotion out of it, and use logic. The most dangerous thing you do every day is driving a car. Terrorism is really the same as the fear of flying. Of course there's always the 1 in a billion chance something could happen, but we drive every day knowing some idiot or drunk could kill us. But we drive so often we don't think of it in those terms. The ship could sink too... Or a meteor could hit it. I'm not trying to make light of your concerns, I go through this with very good friends of ours. Lots of things COULD happen, you jsut have to logically think about the probabilities compared to the risks you face in every day life.

Now go have some fun!

 

[ColeenD]

We are booked on the 1/8 Wonder sailing, and we ARE still going. I will be cautious at airports and other places, and continue to live my life without hiding at home due to non-specific threats. Go....have a great time!